Camellia Grill - New Orleans, LA

Posted By Michael Stern on August 12, 2004 12:49 PM

For a real feast for all the senses away from the French Quarter take the St. Charles street car line to Camellia Grill. This trip to a great New Orleans institution includes an architectural tour as “the car” moseys past fabulous houses, mansions and Audubon Park. Jump off at Carrollton Avenue near the end of the line. Just across the street is The Camellia Grill, with its white columns and pink neon sign. Inside you will find 29 seats at a serpentine counter staffed by friendly, white-coated waiters and cooks at open grills.

While there is no one signature dish, the Chef Special omelet is a real house specialty: bacon, ham, onion, Swiss and American cheeses and French fries all held together with lighter than air eggs whipped in a blender. This concoction is cooked on a flat grill, gently folded and then blanketed with a most delicious, rich chili. Finally, the plate is crowned with French fries and delivered piping hot. The chili is almost a necessary anchor to this dish as this omelet is so light and fluffy it could otherwise float away.

For a beverage choice, the orange freeze, is another house specialty. Available in several other flavors, the orange freeze is quickly blended using orange juice, simple syrup, ice and French vanilla ice cream. Its texture is neither that of a shake nor a slushy. It is light and almost frothy…and the flavor is delicate, not too sweet, so it is a great accompaniment to a meal.

Camellia Grill is known not only for its breakfast served all day, but also for its sandwiches. A simple hamburger (dressed, of course, which is New Orleans speak for mayonnaise, chopped lettuce, tomato and pickle) or grilled cheese with bacon is elevated to gourmet delight, especially when paired with an order of chili cheese fries.

Plan carefully or you may not have room for dessert. Camellia Grill’s include a variety of pies: pecan, chocolate pecan, apple, and several cream pies. The pecan pie, in particular, isn’t any average, run- of-the-mill pie. Not only is the pie itself first-rate, but the fact that they grill it in butter before topping it with a scoop of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream makes this special treat. The grilling results in an intensified flavor of the buttery crust.

Don’t be surprised is there is a line of eager, hungry diners. You will find an eclectic mix of locals, tourists, and students from nearby Tulane University, just blocks away. It’s definitely worth the wait.

-- Review submitted by Marlene Bellis and Philip Roth, aka, tsores.

Overall Rating

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Posted By Tony Harris on October 18, 2012 3:53 PM

If you're not a local, then have patience on weekend mornings, because you will wait, but the food is worth it. If you're in the Quarter, there is a Camellia Grill there, with the same food and same helpings. Enjoy!

Overall Rating

Chef's Special Omelet

Breakfast Sausage

Scrambled Eggs

Coffee

Pancakes

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Posted By Richard Moore on July 19, 2011 7:05 PM

We ate several times at the Chartres Street location during our recent trip to New Orleans: a late breakfast/lunch, a "normal" breakfast, and a late-night treat. All were excellent and satisfying.

Their muffuletta is better than the more famous ones served elsewhere. But for a real treat try the pecan pie, warmed on the flattop grill! We've been assured by a cabbie that the original location is even better.

Overall Rating

Pecan Pie a la Mode

Chef's Special Omelet

Coffee

Gumbo

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Posted By Jim Dudlicek on January 12, 2011 1:13 PM

The Camellia Grill has a location on Chartres in the French Quarter, too. We stumbled across it by accident on our way to Central Grocery (where we finally made it the next day for our muffaletta fix). It was a 15-or-so-minute wait for counter space, but it was worth it, not just for the food, but for the joyous interaction between the cooks and the wait staff.

The Chef's Special omelet was fantastic, and washed down with a chocolate-cherry freeze, it couldn't be beat. The Camellia Grill was a surprise highlight of our latest trip to NOLA.

Overall Rating

Chef's Special Omelet

Chocolate-cherry freeze

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Posted By Derek Freeman on May 15, 2010 5:44 PM

This is a must-stop in New Orleans. Friendly, quirky staff and patrons. It is definitely worth the wait. People in line were discussing what the must-eat dish is and it seemed to be the omelets. The portions are huge so unless you are hungry, plan to share. If you are doing New Orleans the right way, you are probably NOT hungry because you've been sampling the many other restaurants in the city.

I got an omelet with bacon, Swiss, onions, and peppers, with a side of grits. Definitely go for the grits, not only are they delicious, but you can get fries anywhere. The menu says grits are not available after 11am but there was two full pots on at noon.

My wife got a pecan waffle. This is a must-eat. We split the omelet and waffle, but I could have gone for more waffle (and more cowbell, of course).

The coffee is pretty good as well, not your standard diner-fare.

A girl next to me got the Chef's Special omelet, smothered in chili. She said the chili was good, but the overall dish was a little too overbearing (or overwhelming--don't remember the exact word she used, but I knew what she meant). I didn't order it because I thought this may be the case.

The price was extremely reasonable. Our bill was around $17 for what we ordered, and I figure it is about the same that we would have paid at Denny's. So be sure to tip well because the staff is GENUINELY KIND AND FUNNY. The staff seem very genuine and really make you feel like they want you to enjoy your dining experience.

As far as my overall rating, I'm new to Roadfood and I can't say I'm a fan of the rating system based on miles you would travel to go to a particular establishment. In a city like New Orleans everything is within close proximity, so it is hard to say I would travel 100+ miles to go to this restaurant alone. I guess I wouldn't travel to New Orleans JUST for THIS restaurant, BUT if you are in NOLA, you need to go here. I don't think the rating system reflects that, if that makes any sense. Camellia Grill is a must-eat, even if you are here for a weekend. It is definitely at the top of my list for a breakfast joint in New Orleans. The omelets are better than average, the Pecan Waffles are outstanding, and the atmosphere is also what makes the place a must-visit.

Overall Rating

Pecan Waffle

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